UPDATE — November 2, 2026: All cats have now been accounted for.

Firefighters rescued 36 cats from Cat Guardians in Lombard on Sunday night, November 1, 2026, and all appeared to be in good condition, according to the Lombard Fire Department’s update.

Volunteers told officials that 38 cats were being cared for at the shelter.

No injuries or fatalities were reported.

The department was dispatched at approximately 8:22 p.m. to the 900 block of East St. Charles Road, where a residential building was being used to shelter stray and homeless cats.

The first crew arrived at 8:27 p.m. and found flames along the building’s east side, with smoke coming from the eaves.

While firefighters worked to put out the flames with multiple hose lines, other crews entered through the rear of the building to bring the cats out.

The fire was under control by approximately 8:40 p.m.

No residents were occupying the building at the time of the fire.

Fire departments from Villa Park, Elmhurst, Addison and York Center assisted Lombard’s crews, while Lombard police managed traffic and crowds.

The Lombard Fire Investigation Unit responded, and the cause remains under investigation.

Cat Guardians is an all-volunteer nonprofit that cares for stray and homeless cats and works to find them permanent homes.

Readers who want to learn about supporting the organization can visit Cat Guardians’ official website for its regular donation and volunteer information.

Help Cat Guardians recover: Neighbors who would like to support the shelter’s recovery can view the GoFundMe fundraiser.

Updated November 2, 2026. Read the original Lombard Fire Department press release.